Toronto Votes To Allow Pot Shops But The Province Announces Only A Limited Amount Will Be Allowed To Open In April

Months after saying it would not cap the number of licences for retail pot shops after cannabis was legalized, the provincial government has reversed course. The Progressive Conservatives now says they will only be able to issue 25 licences by April. In a statement last night, the province says it plans to take a “phased approach” to authorizing retail cannabis outlets because of what it calls “severe supply shortages” across the country. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario will implement a lottery system to determine who is eligible for the initial wave of licences, with the results announced in January.
To read the statement from the government, CLICK HERE (you will be redirected).

Yesterday Toronto Councillors voted 20-4 in favour of allowing retail pot shops to operate in the city. The GTA is now somewhat divided. Earlier this week, Markham and Mississauga councils voted to not allow cannabis stores.Council in Orangeville voted to allow pot shops. The Progressive Conservative government has given communities until January 22nd to decide whether they want to opt out of hosting the stores, which are set to open starting in April.